Coalition forces in Afghanistan have blown up four caves stacked to the ceiling with munitions they say were left behind by al-Qaida or Taleban fighters. 

The thunderous blast Friday filled the remote mountain valley in southeastern Afghanistan with acrid brown smoke. Ordnance continued to explode for hours beneath the 40-meter deep craters - all that was left of the hill where the arms and ammunition were found. 

British Major Jeff Moulton said there were more than 20 truckloads of weapons - including hundreds of artillery and mortar rounds, rockets and rocket-propelled grenades. Other British military officials say there are signs the arms had been accessed recently. 

Corporal Mark Hughes told reporters British Marines followed a trail of bullets to the caves as part of a mission to hunt for al-Qaida and Taleban remnants. News reports also quote him as saying locals saw three men leaving the area hours before the British troops arrived earlier this week. 

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.

Email this article to a friend.
Printer Friendly Version